8 Questions with Terroir Run Co-Founder, Rebecca LeHeup

I want this shirt for the Terroir Run on May 24!

A few weeks ago, I wrote about an awesome little run in Prince Edward County called the Terroir Run. This small 11K run culminates in a catered party and wine tasting and it won my heart immediately. Wine + running?! Say no more. I’m in. Both my husband and I signed up immediately, along with my good friend Tina and her husband Bergen.

Recently, I caught up with Terroir Run co-founder Rebecca LeHeup and asked her a couple questions about this unique run in wine country. Here’s what she had to say:

How did the Terroir Run start? What was the inspiration for it?

Andrew [Terroir Run co-founder] and I were sitting on our waterfront patio 4 years ago on a sunny March Sunday. We went to register for the Ottawa Half Marathon in May only to find out it was SOLD OUT! We decided that we needed to train for something so why not create our own run and incorporate our other passions – wine and food. Hence – the Terroir Run was born.

What kind of experience can people expect?

Our runners can expect a leisurely (this is not a race) run along paved county roads that are lined by vineyards and farmers fields. At the post run lunch (after completing 11km) our runners celebrate the bounty of the county with a locally sourced lunch featuring wines from the wineries in the region.

Why is registration limited to just 100 people? Are there plans to make it bigger in future, or is that part of the appeal?

The Terroir Run is an intimate experience where our runners get to meet and socialize with each other post-run. Our post-run celebration location reaches its capacity at 100 people – so while we could grow it – it would lose part of the charm. We’re more likely to expand the number of runs that we do in wine country Ontario rather than make our run larger.

If you had to describe the event in three words, what would they be?

Run for Wine

What type of person would this race most appeal to?

Our run is not for the hard core race junkie. Anyone can complete our run as its only 11km – whether they choose to run or walk. Those who appreciate an authentic taste of place will love it!

Is the event timed, or is it more of a fun run?

This is a fun run. We always have a run tracker at the finish line to take runners names and time as they come in. The first three men and women get complimentary registration for the following year. We don’t post the times.

Can you give any hints about what will be in the race kit?

In your Wine Country Ontario wine bag you’ll find an awesome custom t-shirt (we use a different artist every year), some Ontario treats care of Taste of Nature and Pluck Teas, a passport for complimentary tastings at participating wineries and a discount card to get your kitchen goodies at Zest Kitchen.

What can participants expect at the post-race party, aside from wine of course!

We’ll be serving up Humble Bread delights prepared by Chef Cynthia Peters of From the Farm Cooking School, there will be chilled PEC Lavender Tea from Pluck Teas, fresh spring salads featuring greens from Vickis Veggies, woodfired pizza from the crew at Norman Hardie Winery. Of course, runners can sip on a variety of County wines, County Cider and Barley Days Brews! New for this year is our Zest Costume Award – runners who show up in costume are entered in a chance to win an awesome Zest Kitchen Picnic Prize.

At the time of publishing, there were only 27 spots left, so if this sounds like an event you want to be a part of, make sure you register right away. I’ll see you at the wine-line.

Disclosure: In return for my blog posts on this run, I received free race registration.